That night, Eve berates herself for being dumb and horny. It's pretty obvious that she totally wants him, but she refuses to let herself have him if he won't love her. This can be solved once Jack realizes that he does love her, but we've still got five chapters after this one, so that won't happen too soon.
The next day, Eve takes forever getting ready in the morning to delay seeing Jack. Eventually, she goes downstairs and he's sitting alone at the breakfast table. He pours her coffee while Eve tries to avoid looking at his face. Jack tells her to man up because if she acts differently around him now, Ted and Lucie will want to know why. He suggests that she remain angry with him; that'll make it all better.
When Eve returns home, she thinks about how anger and resentment are more comfortable and safer than confusion and embarrassment. Yes, let the hatred grow. I think Eve's drifting toward the dark side of the Force. Anyway, Eve decides to stay angry and get really busy so she's got no time to dwell on the feeling of his lips on her skin and whatnot. Also, back at Stonegate, she had written Ted a huge check so he could buy Lucie a really nice diamond ring. Eventually, Ted accepted it. That gives Eve another reason to work like a crazy person. To be busy, she's got to attend “go-sees” which could be a real modeling term. Maybe. It's where the advertising company checks her teeth, metaphorically, and looks at pictures of her past work to see if she's a good fit for their company. It's awful, being judged on your appearance, and Eve hates these things. You know, that's why she continues to be a model. We don't get any description of these things. Verisimilitude details are fine, I guess. I hope this comes up at some point, though. Anyway. Eve gets a good amount of new jobs from this and is kept busy for the rest of the summer.
At some point during the summer, Lucie comes to New York to do wedding stuff and invites Eve to stay in Jack's apartment with her. Because Jack won't be there, Eve eventually agrees. This apartment is as rich and cold as Jack. Also, it's got no personality. Lucie notices Eve's discomfort in the apartment and says it shows the worst side of Jack. You know, he's totally got more to him than cold and hard. Oh, Lucie. “Ted and I have been talking about it, and both of us think you and Jack really do seem ideal for each other.” I had to put the book down and laugh. The man who doesn't believe in love and the romantic, ideal for each other? Egads. It seems Ted knows Eve about as well as Eve knows Ted. This is a bit more depressing because I'm sure Eve and Jack end up together, but she's got to change him first. At least Eve isn't saying that she can change him...yet. Anyway, Eve shoots down Lucie's suggestion and they move on.
Then, one Friday afternoon in early September, Jack sends a limo to Eve's work with a note summoning her. She just had a long day. Apparently it was mentally draining as well as being physically exhausting. I'm not sure how modeling can be mentally draining, but I've never modeled, so I wouldn't know. Anyway, she gets in the stranger's car and goes to Jack's office to see him. She was too tired to un-model-ify herself so she gets some looks when she walks in. Oh, the reception area of the office looks just like Jack's penthouse. He's spreading his personality-less decorating scheme all over! Eve is deposited in Jack's office and he comes in shortly after.
Jack just looks so sexy in his businessman outfit. He's wearing pinstripes, but his jacket is off, his tie is loosened and his waistcoat is buttoned. His hair is a mess, like he's been running his fingers through it in impatience or frustration. Nope, he can't love at all. Not even close. Jack thinks she's on her way out for the evening and he says he won't keep her long. She's totally demonstrated before that she goes out and has wild parties. Not that other thing. Eve decides not to correct him and sits down.
Jack says that Lucie tried to set him and Eve up when he had lunch with the engaged couple. Then he insinuates that Eve is trying to marry him for his money. It seems like Jack might be happier if he were poor. Then he wouldn't freak out all the time about people wanting his money. Eve accuses him of not having a heart, it's really business as usual. Jack's phone rings and he answers it. He tells whoever he'll be ready for some people soon. Eve starts leaving when Jack tells her she shouldn't have spent so much for Lucie's ring. He doesn't want her spending so much because she should give a little thought to herself. Eve tells Jack to keep his nose out of her business, throws the door open and slams it shut behind her. Then she sees the businessmen waiting for Jack. Well, whateves. Let Jack explain it. She squares her shoulders and leaves.
I think that went well, don't you?
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